Australia Becomes First Country To Let Children Choose Their Own Gender On Birth Certificates

Breaking down rigid gender stereotypes that children are either born ‘male’ or ‘female’, children of all diversity will now be able to change the gender on their birth certificate in five Australian states. Victoria became the fifth state to pass the new law following a debate on Tuesday when the Victorian legislative council voted a whopping 26 to 14 in favour of the bill. The state will officially become law once it receives the royal assent.

The existing law in Victoria states that transgender people had to undergo sex reassignment surgery before being able to change their birth certificates. With the passing of the new law, trans and gender-diverse people will be able to change their sex in birth certificate to undergoing having to undergo gender reassignment surgery.

"These important new laws are about ensuring everyone can live their life as they choose, and that includes having 
a birth certificate that reflects their true identity.

"The current surgery requirement sends a painful and false message that there is something wrong with being trans or gender diverse that needs to be ‘fixed’ – that’s why we’re removing this cruel and unfair barrier’’ Attorney-General Jill Hennessy said, according to The Age.

Minors will also be able to determine or change their gender or select a non-binary descriptor of their choice. It will however require a statutory declaration in time of the nominating of the sex to be recorded or must have permission from their parents and a statement from a doctor saying the decision is in the best interests of the child backed by the application.

Tasmania, Northern Territory, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory have all approved similar bills.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Victoria became the fifth state to pass the new law following a debate on Tuesday
• Victorian legislative council voted a whopping 26 to 14 in favour of the bill
• Tasmania, Northern Territory, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory have all approved similar bills.